Router lift

Abstract

An apparatus configured for use with a router includes a top plate, a carriage, a threaded shaft, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The carriage is configured to at least partially surround the router. The threaded shaft has a first longitudinal axis, the shaft connecting the top plate and carriage so that the carriage is movable along the first longitudinal axis. Rotation of the first adjustment mechanism about the first longitudinal axis in a first direction and for a number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction at a first speed. Rotation of the second adjustment mechanism about a second longitudinal axis for the number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus configured for use with a router, the apparatus comprising:
 a top plate; 
 a carriage configured to at least partially surround the router; 
 a threaded shaft having a first longitudinal axis, the shaft connecting the top plate and carriage so that the carriage is movable along the first longitudinal axis; 
 a first adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the first adjustment mechanism about the first longitudinal axis in a first direction and for a number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction at a first speed; and 
 a second adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the second adjustment mechanism about a second longitudinal axis for the number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed, 
 wherein the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is a socket. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is located on the top plate. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear assembly configured to translate the rotation of the second adjustment mechanism to the rotation of the threaded shaft. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the gear assembly comprises:
 a first circular gear having a first splined perimeter edge; and 
 a second circular gear having a second splined perimeter edge; 
 wherein the first splined perimeter edge engages with the second splined perimeter edge so that the first circular gear and the second circular gear rotate in opposite directions. 
 
     
     
       6. An apparatus configured for use with a router, the apparatus comprising:
 a top plate; 
 a carriage configured to at least partially surround the router; 
 a threaded shaft having a first longitudinal axis, the shaft connecting the top plate and carriage so that the carriage is movable along the first longitudinal axis; 
 a first adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the first adjustment mechanism about the first longitudinal axis in a first direction and for a number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction at a first speed; 
 a second adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the second adjustment mechanism about a second longitudinal axis for the number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction and at a second speed that is faster that the first speed; and 
 a gear assembly configured to translate the rotation of the second adjustment mechanism to the rotation of the threaded shaft, wherein the gear assembly comprises a first circular gear having a first diameter and a second circular gear having a second diameter different from the first diameter. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first circular gear and the second circular gear share a rotation axis, a rotation speed and a rotation direction. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second speed is at least twice the first speed. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus configured for use with a router, the apparatus comprising:
 a top plate having an aperture therein; 
 a removable insert plate configured to be received in the aperture; 
 a release mechanism, wherein actuation of the release mechanism releases at least a portion of the removable insert plate from the aperture of the top plate, wherein the release mechanism comprises:
 a button positioned in the top plate; and 
 a lever positioned below the top plate, wherein downward motion of the button is configured to move a portion of the lever upward against a bottom surface of the removable insert plate; and 
 
 a carriage configured to at least partially surround the router. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the removable insert plate comprises a groove on a perimeter edge thereof, the apparatus further comprising a clip attached to the top plate and configured to fit the groove. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is a socket. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is located on the top plate. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first circular gear has a first splined perimeter edge; and 
 the second circular gear has a second splined perimeter edge; 
 wherein the first splined perimeter edge engages with the second splined perimeter edge so that the first circular gear and the second circular gear rotate in opposite directions. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second speed is at least twice the first speed. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a threaded shaft having a first longitudinal axis, the shaft connecting the top plate and carriage so that the carriage is movable along the first longitudinal axis; 
 a first adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the first adjustment mechanism about the first longitudinal axis in a first direction and for a number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction at a first speed; and 
 a second adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the second adjustment mechanism about a second longitudinal axis for the number of rotations is configured to rotate the threaded shaft about the first longitudinal axis in the first direction and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is a socket. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms is located on the top plate. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a gear assembly configured to translate the rotation of the second adjustment mechanism to the rotation of the threaded shaft. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the gear assembly comprises:
 a first circular gear having a first splined perimeter edge; and 
 a second circular gear having a second splined perimeter edge; 
 wherein the first splined perimeter edge engages with the second splined perimeter edge so that the first circular gear and the second circular gear rotate in opposite directions. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second speed is at least twice the first speed.